Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Shakes Fresno County, Strongest Storm Hits Area

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck Fresno County Thursday afternoon, rattling residents between Coalinga and Avenal around 4:17 p.m. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred just west of Interstate 5.

While residents in Coalinga reported feeling the tremors, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries following the quake. The California Shake Alert system was activated, providing early warning to those in the vicinity.

“Did you feel it?” was a common question among locals as they assessed the situation. The earthquake’s magnitude was initially reported at 4.3, later updated to 4.4, highlighting the challenges seismologists face in assessing the scale of such events.

Amid this geological activity, Fresno County is also grappling with a severe weather system. Pockets of precipitation began falling throughout the region on Thursday, with officials warning that this storm could be the most significant of the season.

“We’re expecting significant amounts of rain today,” said Terri Mejorado, Emergency Manager for the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services. “The weather service has indicated that today’s storm will be the biggest one we’ve had this season.”

The intensity of the rainfall has posed a challenge for local emergency services. Gary Couch with Fresno County CAL FIRE stated, “We have upstaffed our 10-person boat team to monitor various burn scars and known creeks that could pose problems to residents.”

The city has seen a surge in flooding calls since the storm intensified. Bret Conner, Public Works Manager for the City of Fresno, noted, “Probably just in the last hour, we had over 50 flooding calls city-wide.” Heavy rainfall resulted in clogged drains and debris littering streets, leading to a rapid response from maintenance crews.

In northwest Fresno, tranportation has been impacted as trash cans were tipped by standing water and roads experienced flash flooding. “Crews city-wide are cleaning drains, which could be blocked with debris, to prepare for the water flow,” explained Conner.

As snowfall is anticipated in higher elevations, Mejorado cautioned residents to avoid unnecessary travel. “We expect several feet of snow in the China Peak and Huntington Lake areas. Residents should stay off the roads and wait for conditions to improve before heading out,” she advised.

Residents can report road-related problems by calling 311 or using the city app. Sandbag locations are also available in the county to help mitigate flooding risks.

As the situation develops, stay tuned for updates from KFSN and follow local news outlets for the latest information.